KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Officials say a roadside bomb in northern Afghanistan has killed two people, including a local police commander credited with reducing the number of insurgent attacks in his area.

Abdul Nazar, a local council member, said Tuesday’s blast in the Archi district of Kunduz province destroyed a car carrying the commander, his driver and two other police officers. They were traveling to Kunduz City.

Nazar says the driver and the commander, Miran, were killed. The commander went by only one name, as is common in Afghanistan. The two officers were wounded.

Sarwar Hussaini, a spokesman for chief of police in Kunduz province, blamed the Taliban for the attack. He says it’s retaliation for Miran’s success at improving security in his district.